Today's News

Summer months are difficult for several businesses — and the same is true for Medic Regional Blood Center, the community blood provider.

The organization struggles to reach the daily quota of donors necessary to adequately supply hospitals, said Christi Fightmaster of Medic public relations.

“Families are busier than usual with kids out of school and planning vacations,” she said. “However, there’s more activities in our area which, unfortunately, can lead to accidents where blood is needed.”

The Tennessee Arts Commission has awarded an Arts Build Communities grant to the Roane Choral Society.

The $3,300 grant is made possible through an appropriation of state funds by the Tennessee General Assembly, federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by Tennesseans who buy specialty license plates.

“This is a very fine performing-arts group,” said state Sen. Ken Yager. R-Kingston.

Kingston’s Jordan Humphreys, Lauren Ladd and Anne Pirtle were recently initiated into the University of Tennessee at Knoxville chapter of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

They are among about 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, one of the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Each balloon released from the church at 2170 N. Gateway Ave., Rockwood, has a special invitation and tag on it. Anyone who finds one of the balloons and returns it to the church during VBS will be eligible for a special prize, said VBS director Les LaRue.

New Mountain View Baptist
“Gone Fishing: ‘Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men’ (Matthew 4:19)” is the theme of vacation Bible school at New Mountain View Baptist Church, Oliver Springs. Classes for all ages will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 14-18 in the church at 381 Mahoney Road; refreshments will be served. Call 435-5242 for details or transportation.

SUNDAY, JULY 13
• St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church, Harriman, will celebrate Pastor Jesse and Elfreda Williams for 35 years of spiritual leadership and faithful service. They will be honored during two services: the Rev. Gerald Marshall of Dayton, Ohio, will lead the 11 a.m. service; the Rev. Alvin Douglass of Anointed Praise and Worship Church will be in charge of the 3 p.m. service. The church is at 1038 Trenton St.